Former JAD Network Terrorist Detonates Homemade Bomb in Dadaha, Tasikmalaya

Hundreds of residents in the Lingkar Dadaha complex, Cikalang sub-district, Tawang district, Tasikmalaya City, West Java, were startled by a loud explosion at a street vendor area on Saturday night around 11pm. The blast originated from a homemade bomb belonging to an iced tea seller, identified by the initials AAS, 28, who is believed to be a former member of the Jamaat Ansharut Daulah (JAD) terrorist network.

Eyewitness Sandy Basli, 66, said the explosion sounded like a large truck tyre bursting. The incident occurred as residents were trying to mediate a dispute between traders at the sports complex. ‘We heard a blast that sounded like a truck tyre, causing residents to be shocked and visitors to panic and run for safety. According to reports from residents, a strong smell of sulphur was detected at the scene,’ Sandy said on Monday.

Another resident, Wawan, 55, explained that the incident began with an argument between a corn seller, identified as S, and a tahu gejrot seller, identified as E, who was suspected of being intoxicated. The situation escalated when AAS, the iced tea seller and a relative of S, arrived and scolded E. As residents attempted to break up the fight, a loud explosion suddenly came from behind the trading stalls.

Following the incident, the Tasikmalaya City Police Identification Unit immediately secured the area and discovered several suspicious materials confirmed to be components for homemade bombs. The National Police’s Densus 88 counter-terrorism unit swiftly searched AAS’s rented room on Jalan Bebedilan, Gunung Koneng, Cilembang sub-district, Cihideung district.

During the search, officers seized evidence including jihadist books, a dagger, an air rifle, explosive devices, and cable installations. Tasikmalaya City Police Chief, Adjunct Senior Commissioner Andi Purwanto, confirmed the investigation was conducted jointly with the West Java Regional Police’s Criminal Investigation Directorate. ‘We have secured a number of items from the scene, including metal materials, hazardous chemicals, sulphur, calcium chloride, aluminium powder, batteries, cable installations, and a remote control,’ Andi Purwanto stated.

Police have named AAS as a suspect and he is currently detained at the Tasikmalaya City Police station. The suspect is charged with the misuse of sharp weapons, firearms, and explosives, as stipulated under Article 306 or Article 308 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code.